Foldable tent frame

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a foldable tent frame comprising a certain number of braces and connection sets connecting the adjacent braces, the connection set includes two connection pieces hinged together in dull connection, wherein one connection piece has a cut-away groove along the axial at the open end to form a pair of opposite groove sides, and a through cutting groove formed at the front side crossing the both sides of the cut-away groove; another connection piece extends a tongue at the front end for correspondently plugging into the cut-away groove, and a slotted-eye is formed on the middle portion of the tongue, and coordinating to the cut-away groove, said tongue has a rim formed at the root, and a cam is ex-tended from the surface of the rim coordinating to the cutting groove. In this case, as pitching up the tent frame, the whole tent is braced stably without any falling down.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a foldable tent frame, and more particularly to connection sets used for connecting the pole to the bottom of main body of tent.

2. Description of Prior Art

In accordance with the conventional foldable tent, as shown in FIG. 1, it is consisted of several foldable braces and some connection sets connection adjacent member bars and facilitating to fold. Due to fold function of the connection set, as pitching up the tent, the positioner must be employed for preventing the member bars from folding under large extra force from outside such like big wind or other load as unexpected striking.

On the other hand, the foldable brace set typically comprises several member bars, at least three end by end in dull connection in common, and each nodal point in different position receives different external force of wind, so it bears different stress. Generally, the lower connection sets, due to facing to the wind in front orientation, bear stronger load; and the upper connection sets bear smaller load relatively. In addition, due to the location state of the connection sets of pitched tent frame, as folding the tent, how to conveniently release the location state of the connection sets, whatever the mechanism of the positioner is, is essential to the users. The lower connection sets located in the lower place will not bring any trouble to the user, but the upper connection sets located in the higher place maybe make some trouble to the shorter user in operation; therefore, an easy operation position mechanism become more important to the shorter user.

Based on the above, regarding to the foldable tent frame, depending on the different place, the connection set should be designed in different mechanism for meeting different function.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a main object of the present invention to provide connection sets, which can be firmly located as pitching up, meanwhile facilitated to release in operation as folding up.

This object is achieved by a following resolution provided by the present invention: foldable tent frame comprised of a certain number of braces connected each other in dull connection by connection sets; the upper connection set includes two connection pieces hinged together in dull connection, wherein one connection piece has a cut-away groove along the axial at the open end to form a pair of opposite groove sides, and a cutting groove formed at the front side crossing the both sides of the cut-away groove; another connection piece extends a tongue at the front end for correspondently plugging into the cut-away groove, and a slotted-eye is formed on the middle portion of the tongue, and coordinating to the cut-away groove, said tongue has a rim formed at the root, and a cam is extended from the surface of the rim coordinating to the cutting groove; the lower connection set includes two inter-hinged connection pieces, wherein one connection piece has a cut-away groove along the axial at the open end to form a pair of opposite groove sides, and a cutting groove crossing the both sides of the cut-away groove, and a stopping cam with a stopping surface extended out from the open side of the cutting groove approaching to the cut-away groove; another connection piece of the lower connection set extends out a tongue from the front end for engaging into the cut-away groove correspondently with a slotted-eye formed on the middle portion, and coordinating to the outside surface of the cut-away groove, said tongue has a rim formed at the root, and a cam is extended from the surface of the rim coordinating to the cutting groove, said cam stretches a stopping surface along one side for correspondently matching with the stopping surface of the first connection piece.

In said upper connection set, one connection piece with the cut-away groove extends a catching lug from the inner side of the closed end of cut-away groove to form a recess with the bottom side of the cut-away groove; and the another connection piece extends a nose from the tip end of the tongue so that the nose is exactly locked in the recess as the member bars are unfolded; on the other hand, the waist slotted-eye of another connection piece is tilted to the inside and the bottom side.

In said lower connection set, one connection piece with the cut-away groove extends a catching lug from the inner side of the closed end of cut-away groove to form a recess with the bottom side of the cut-away groove; and the another connection piece extends a nose from the tip end of the tongue so that the nose is exactly located in the recess as the member bars are unfolded; on the other hand, the waist slotted-eye of another connection piece is enlarged one end approaching to the inside and the bottom side to form one big end and one small end.

In this case, due to employing the double caging devices in the present invention, such as inter-engaged cutting groove with the cam and the catching lug and the nose, the retaining intension of the connection set is improved greatly so that the pitched tent frame is more stably.

On the other hand, due to the difference load received in different nodal point located in different place in the wind, the mechanism of connection set in each nodal point is designed in different. Regarding to the upper connection set, due to higher place located and smaller load received, so the easy operation is focused on, so that the catching depth of the cutting groove and the cam is designed into shallow for facilitating to release once withdrawing the catch-in force, therefore, do not need to draw out the both connection pieces with both hands as folding up the tent frame, just need to eliminate the intensity of the tent frame, and turn the member bars around the pivoted point of the connection set with a little force, the tent frame can be folded easily, even if the user is short.

Regarding to the lower connection set, due to lower place located and stronger load received from wind, so the bearing capacity is focused on in design, therefore, the contacting surfaces of the cut-away groove and the cam is stretched out to form a pair of stopping surfaces to increase the engaging area, so that the two connection pieces are inter-locked tightly to improve the bearing capacity without any anxious about collapsing even under stronger wind as pitching up the tent frame. And when folding this nodal point, just draw out the engaged two connection pieces with the both hand, the tent frame can be folded easily, due to the lower place of the nodal point, the operation is became easier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a scheme showing the external look of the prior art.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the upper connection set of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a scheme showing the combined upper connection set of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the engaging state of the upper connection set of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the disengaging state of the upper connection set of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the folding action of the upper connection set of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the folded state of the upper connection set of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view showing the lower connection set of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a solid view showing the combined lower connection set of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the engaging state of the lower connection set of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the disengaging state of the lower connection set of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the folding action of the lower connection set of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing the folded state of the lower connection set of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a scheme showing the using state of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 13, the tent applying the present invention comprised of a certain number of braces 1 connected each other in dull connection by connection sets; in this case, three-panel structure is described in detail as an example, the upper connection set A is used for connecting the top and the middle braces 1, and the lower connection set B connects the middle to the low braces 1 for facilitating to folding the whole frame.

Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, said upper connection set A includes two connection pieces A1 A2 hinged together in dull connection, and their outside ends are respectively fixed on the coordinating tip ends of the up and the middle braces 1. Wherein one connection piece A1 has a cut-away groove All along the axial at the open end to form a pair of opposite groove sides, and a through pin hole A12 drilled crossing the both groove sides, and a cutting groove A13 formed crossing the front ends of the both sides of the cut-away groove All, said cutting groove A13 can be a curved groove; additionally, the cut-away groove extends a catching lug A14 from the inner side of the closed end to form a recess between the catching lug A14 and the bottom side of the cut-away groove A11.

Another connection piece A2 extends a tongue A21 at the front end for correspondently plugging into the cut-away groove A11, and a slotted-eye A22 is formed on the middle portion of the tongue A21 so that a rivet S passes through and rivets on the pin hole A12 to hinge the two connection pieces A1 A2 together, and coordinating to the outside surface of the cut-away groove A11, said tongue A21 has a rim A25 formed at the root, and a cam A23 is extended from the top end surface of the rim A25 coordinating to the cutting groove A13, in addition, the tongue A21 extends a nose A24 from the tip end so that the nose can exactly catch in the recess formed between the catching lug A14 and the bottom side of the cut-away groove A11 to lock on the catching lug A14.

Referring to FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, as folding the upper connection set A, just need to draw out the two connection pieces A1 A2 outward respectively so that the cam A23 of the connection piece A2 slides off from the cutting groove A13 of the connection piece A1, meanwhile the cam A24 simultaneously slides off from the recess to release the lock of the catching lug A 14; then, fold up the both connection pieces A1 A2 together. For preventing the nose A24 of the connection piece A2 from interfering with the bottom side of the cut-away groove A1l, said slotted-eye A22 of the connection piece A2 is cut into tilting to the inside and the bottom side; referring to FIG. 5, as drawing the two connection pieces A1 A2 away, the tilted slotted-eye A22 will lift the connection piece A2 up so that the nose A24 will not interfere with the bottom side of the cut-away groove A1 as turning them around the rivet S (as shown in FIG. 6).

Referring to FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, the lower connection set B includes two inter-hinged connection pieces B1 B2 of the same, and their outside ends are respectively fixed on the coordinating tip ends of the up and the middle braces 1. Wherein as same as above-mentioned connection set A in the structures of the both connection pieces A1 A2, the lower connection set B includes a pair of socket-joined cut-away groove B11 and the tongue B21, by riveting the pin hole B12 to the slotted-eye B22 with a rivet S, and engaging the cutting groove B13 and the cam B23, and inter-locking the catching lug B14 and the nose B24, moreover the rim B25 formed on the root of the tongue B21 coordinating to the outside surface of the cut-away groove B11, and the cam B24 is projected from the rim B25, the both connection pieces B1 B2 are hinged and inter-locked together. The differences from the upper connection set A are as follows:

In one connection piece B1, the through cutting groove B13 crossing the cut-away groove B11 extends out a stopping cam B15 on each side respectively to form an extended stopping surface B16, and coordinating to this, the cam B23 of another connection piece B2 has a stopping surface B26 for matching with the stopping surface B16. For getting firmer location effect of inter-engaged two stopping surfaces B16 and B26, the both stopping surfaces B16 and B26 are designed into acute angle.

In addition, the waist slotted-eye B22 of another connection piece B2 is enlarged one end approaching to the inside and the bottom side to form one big end and one small end. In this case, as tenting to fold the lower connection set B, as shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 13, draw away the two connection pieces B1 and B2 so that the cam B23 slides out from the cutting groove B13 of the connection piece B2, meanwhile the nose B24 is simultaneously released from the inter-locked catching lug B14; while sliding off between the two connection pieces B1 and B2, the bigger end of the slotted-eye B22 is leaving more space for lifting the another connection piece B2 up so that the nose B24 will not interfere with the bottom side of the cut-away groove B11 (as shown in FIG. 12).

Referring to FIG. 14, the connection sets provided of the present invention are used in a foldable tent frame, as tenting to pitch up for use, under the stretching force of the whole tent frame, the all connection sets A and B are received a pair of opposite forces on the nodal point so that the each cam A23 or B23 catches into each cutting groove A13 or B13 to carry out location function preventing all the connection sets A and B from folding relatively, so they are in stable inter-locking state. On the other hand, due to employing the double caging devices in the present invention, such as inter-engaged cutting grooves A13 B13 with the cams A23 B23 and inter-locked the catching lugs A14 B14 and the noses A24 B24, the retaining intensions of the connection sets are improved greatly. Moreover, regarding to the lower connection set B, due to the inter-engaged stopping surfaces B16 and B26 of the cutting groove B13 and the cam B23, as pitching up the tent frame, the two connection pieces B1 and B2 are locked together firmly to get enough intension of bearing strong wind without any anxious about falling down.

As tenting to fold up the tent frame, due to emulating the stretching force of the whole tent frame out, all the nodal points are in free, regarding to the lower connection set B, the user just need to draw away the two connection pieces B1 and B2, the connection set B can be closed together, due to it locates in a lower place, so the operation is easy. And regarding to the upper connection set A, due to the shallow engaging depth of the cutting groove A13 and the cam A23, even once the opposite forces coming from the stretching force of the whole tent frame are emulated, the two connection pieces A1 and A2 can be fallen off, in this time, the user just draws the connection set A along the closing direction, the rivet S will slide along the slotted-eye A22 to lift another connection piece A2 up, meanwhile the two connection pieces A1 and A2 are closed in this processing, therefore, although the upper connection set A is located in the higher place, the operation is certainly easy and convenient, even to the shorter user, it is easy too. Although the bearing intension of the upper connection set A is smaller than the lower connection set B, because it receives smaller wind force, but also it is enough for bearing strong wind without any falling down. 

1. Foldable tent frame comprising a certain number of braces and connection sets connecting the adjacent braces, the features are as follows: the upper connection set includes two connection pieces hinged together in dull connection, wherein one connection piece has a cut-away groove along the axial at the open end to form a pair of opposite groove sides, and a through cutting groove formed at the front side crossing the both sides of the cut-away groove; another connection piece extends a tongue at the front end for correspondently plugging into the cut-away groove, and a slotted-eye is formed on the middle portion of the tongue, and coordinating to the cut-away groove, said tongue has a rim formed at the root, and a cam is extended from the surface of the rim coordinating to the cutting groove; the lower connection set includes two interhinged connection pieces, wherein one connection piece has a cut-away groove along the axial at the open end to form a pair of opposite groove sides, and a cutting groove crossing the both sides of the cut-away groove, and a stopping cam with a stopping surface extended out from the open side of the cutting groove approaching to the cut-away groove; another connection piece of the lower connection set extends out a tongue from the front end for engaging into the cut-away groove correspondently with a slotted-eye formed on the middle portion, and coordinating to the outside surface of the cut-away groove, said tongue has a rim formed at the root, and a cam is extended from the surface of the rim coordinating to the cutting groove, said cam stretches a stopping surface along one side for correspondently matching with the stopping surface of the first connection piece.
 2. A foldable tent frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein in said upper connection set, one connection piece with the cut-away groove extends a catching lug from the inner side of the closed end of cut-away groove to form a recess with the bottom side of the cut-away groove; and the another connection piece extends a nose from the tip end of the tongue so that the nose is exactly locked in the recess as the member bars are unfolded; on the other hand, the waist slotted-eye of another connection piece is tilted to the inside and the bottom side.
 3. A foldable tent frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein in said lower connection set, one connection piece with the cut-away groove extends a catching lug from the inner side of the closed end of cut-away groove to form a recess with the bottom side of the cut-away groove; and the another connection piece extends a nose from the tip end of the tongue so that the nose is exactly located in the recess as the member bars are unfolded; on the other hand, the waist slotted-eye of another connection piece is enlarged one end approaching to the inside and the bottom side to form one big end and one small end. 